The Hardest Part of Simply Starting

Understanding The Invisible Weight Behind Inaction

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve wanted to start.

I tell myself I’m ready.

I’ve spent hours thinking things through, making plans, and imagining how great it will feel once I finally get going. But somehow, I always find a way to delay a new habit, a long-overdue project, or the change I know I need to make. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe next week. And before I know it, nothing has changed.

The dream is still just a dream.

But why?

Why is it so difficult to begin, even when I’m eager and willing?

It’s something I’ve struggled with myself, especially when it comes to taking my creative work and business seriously. I’ve wanted to consistently create. I’ve had so many ideas and plans, but turning them into a routine has been another story.

There were times when I would create something and finish it in no time. I remember drawing a high-resolution artwork for my online shop and being surprised that I finished it in just two or three hours. It made me think that maybe I could keep that pace and create several more artworks within a week.

But that spark doesn’t always last.

My responsibilities as a mother take over. There are meals to prepare, the house to clean, laundry to wash and fold, and so many little things that need my attention. Sometimes, I even find myself doing things that aren’t urgent, simply because they feel easier than facing the work I actually want to focus on. Eventually, I forget to create altogether and find myself switching to a completely different task.

For a long time, I thought I had enough time. I believed I could divide my day by finishing the chores first and then sitting at my desk to create or work. But by the time I finished everything, I was already tired. I would still tell myself I was ready to start and that I could somehow get everything done quickly.

Maybe that’s part of what I’m learning now. Being ready doesn’t always mean having a perfect plan or a completely free day. Sometimes, it simply means starting with whatever time and energy I have.

I know I’ll eventually need help along the way. Building a successful business takes a team of skilled people working together to make it stronger and more sustainable. But for now, as someone who is still starting out, I’m choosing to take things slowly and steadily. I’m trying to remind myself that consistency doesn’t have to mean doing everything every day. Sometimes, it can simply mean returning to what matters, even after I’ve fallen out of rhythm.

I’m still learning how to balance being a mother, taking care of our home, and making space for my creative work. It isn’t always easy, and I know there will be days when I fall behind again.

But I don’t want every delay to become another reason to give up.

I want to keep going, even if I have to take small steps.

With better planning, a little more patience with myself, and the willingness to begin again, I believe I can slowly build the life and creative work I’ve been dreaming about.

Maybe I don’t need to have everything figured out before I start.

Maybe I just need to start.

I’ve been reflecting on these little barriers in my own life, and understanding them feels like a good place to start.

Barriers to Taking the First Step:

1. Work Environment – Sometimes, the space where we’re supposed to create can become part of the reason we don’t start. When a desk is cluttered, uncomfortable, too noisy, or filled with things that need to be done, it can make sitting down to create feel like another task on its own.

For me, I’ve noticed that when my workspace doesn’t feel settled, I tend to find other things to do first. I might clean something, check something, or move from one task to another instead of actually starting. It’s easier to think, I’ll create once everything is in order.

But everything doesn’t always have to be in order before I begin.

I’m learning that I don’t need a perfect studio or a completely quiet space to create. Sometimes, I just need to make a little room for myself, clear enough distractions, sit down, and start with whatever I have.

2. Digital Interruptions – Sometimes, the things that help us work can also make it harder to start. With a phone or computer nearby, it’s easy to check one notification, scroll for a few minutes, or quickly look at something unrelated. Before I know it, a few minutes can turn into an hour.

I’ve noticed how easily I can switch from creating to browsing, especially when I’m not sure how to begin. It can feel easier to consume other people’s work than to sit with my own blank page.

I’m learning that I don’t always need to completely disconnect. Sometimes, I just need to be more mindful of where my attention is going. Putting my phone aside, closing unnecessary tabs, or giving myself a little uninterrupted time can make starting feel much easier.

3. Daily Obligations – Sometimes, it’s not that I don’t want to create. There are simply too many things that need my attention first. Household chores, errands, family responsibilities, and little things that come up throughout the day can easily push creative work to the side.

I often tell myself I’ll start once everything else is done. But there always seems to be something else to do.

I’m learning that if I keep waiting for a completely free day, I might never begin. Sometimes, I have to make a little space for my creative work, even when the day is already full. It may only be a small amount of time, but at least I’m still making room for something that matters to me.

4. Production Tools – Sometimes, the tools we need can also become a reason to put things off. Maybe the software feels complicated, the equipment isn’t ideal, or we don’t have everything we think we need yet.

I’ve caught myself thinking that I’ll start once I have better tools or learn how to use something properly. But waiting for the perfect setup can easily turn into another form of procrastination.

I’m learning to work with what I have and improve as I go. I don’t need every tool to be perfect before I can create. Sometimes, starting with what’s already available is enough to get things moving.

5. Fear and Overthinking – The biggest thing stopping me from starting is my own mind. I think too much about whether what I create will be good enough, whether people will like it, or whether I’m making the right choice.

The more I think about it, the harder it becomes to actually begin. I can spend so much time planning and worrying that I end up doing nothing at all.

I’m learning that not everything needs to be figured out before I start. I can make mistakes, change my mind, and learn along the way. Sometimes, I just need to quiet the doubts for a moment and give myself permission to try.

6. Limited Time – I used to think I needed a few free hours to really get anything done. But waiting for that much time often meant I never started at all.

I’m learning that even a short amount of time can be enough. I can sketch for a few minutes, write a little, or work on one small part of a project. It may not feel like much, but those little moments can add up.

Maybe I don’t need more time. I just need to make better use of the time I already have.

7. Establishing a Niche – I have so many interests and things I want to create that choosing one direction can feel overwhelming. I’ve also wondered if I need to have a clear niche before I can take my creative work seriously. But I’m slowly realizing that I don’t have to figure it all out at once.

My style and direction can grow with me. I can explore different ideas, try new things, and see what feels right along the way. For now, I think it’s okay to start with what I enjoy and let my niche take shape naturally.

8. Courage – What keeps me from starting is simply the fear of putting myself out there. Creating something means letting people see a little part of me, and that can feel uncomfortable. I may not always feel confident, but I can still take a small step forward. Sometimes, that’s all the courage I need to begin.

I’m learning that the hardest part of change is sometimes just deciding to begin. I can spend so much time planning and waiting for the right moment, but eventually, I just have to take that first step.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It can be small, messy, or uncertain. What matters is that I start.

Maybe I don’t need to feel ready yet. Maybe I just need to begin and figure things out along the way.